Commentary: Much Ado About Nothing Act IV Scene I

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

Commentary: Much Ado About Nothing Act IV Scene I In this scene the wedding ceremony starts to take place but is interrupted by Claudio taking over the service, denouncing Hero at the altar for her unfaithfulness and sexual promiscuity. Claudio humiliates and shames her in front of the whole congregation and then leaves with Don Pedro and Don John without looking back. Although Hero is innocent of this charge, her father Leonato is quite easily convinced of his daughter's falsely accused activities. We are not entirely sure of the scene's setting, but judging by the era in which the play was written in, we can guess that it most likely took place in a church or on the outside steps of a church. Claudio chooses to shame Hero just before they are to be married because he wishes to humiliate her in the worst possible way, in front of lots of people and on the day that she is happy and looking forward to her life with him. The language used in this scene is very strong, and is full of bitterness, innocence, accusatory remarks, hate and denial. ...read more.

Middle

Claudio's vision of Hero's dishonour is no less surreal than the love he had for her before he found out what she had allegedly done. In Act III Scene II Don John manages to lead on Don Pedro and Claudio to think that Hero has been unfaithful. As well as showing how words can be so deceiving, the scene also shows the importance of women (or rather the lack of importance) that women had in Shakespeare's time. Claudio and Don Pedro both know of Don John's evil ways, but they both choose to believe him over Hero. One of the themes shown in this scene is gender roles. Another example containing this theme is the reaction of Leonato when he is told of Hero's supposed 'unfaithfulness'. Leonato expresses a desire to kill himself in line 107 "Hath no man's dagger a point for me?" This shows that Leonato is more concerned for himself, his status and dignity among other men, than for his daughter, he has little concern for Hero's feelings, and is more preoccupied with his own reputation. Later on in the scene this is emphasised with the language he uses when describing his feelings on the matter. ...read more.

Conclusion

They are all so blinded by the appearance of being honourable and having dignity, that they cannot see that what they are doing by believing Don John's accusations is the most dishonourable act. Don Pedro supports Claudio's accusations and backs him up by twisting Hero's answer. Claudio asks her, "Now if you are a maid, answer to this." Hero answers by saying that she talked to no man the previous night. Don Pedro then goes on to say, "Why, then you are no maiden." Don John also backs up Claudio by hypocritically saying that he regrets her "much misgovernment." In line 70, Claudio says, "Are our eyes are own?" This is deeply ironic as the scene is about self-deception. His own eyes have deceived him when he thought he saw Hero betraying him. The theme of deception can be linked to many different scenes in the play. Claudio is yet again deceived later on in the play, but this time not by Don John, but by Hero who pretends to be dead. A strong link to the title is made here. I think that the title refers mainly to this scene. The chaotic scenario that has been created, has been created from false accusations, events that never happened, hence the title 'Much Ado About Nothing.' ...read more.

Related GCSE Much Ado About Nothing essays

Only conventional attitudes towards love, marriage and community ideas are praised in the patriachal society of Messina. There are ironies here, in that Shakespeare shows Beatrice and Benedick reacting to what is really unloving, their own behaviour, as they are ashamed of it.

Driven by jealousy Don John elicits the support of Borachio to destroy Claudio's impending marriage to Hero. The deception aims to "misuse the Prince, to vex Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato" by making it appear that Hero is a "contaminated stale".

They both declare their love for one another and Benedick promises to do anything for Beatrice. She orders him to kill Claudio, and after some hedging he reluctantly agrees to challenge Claudio to a duel. Dogberry has brought Borachio and Conrad before the town Sexton and is trying to make them confess.

These characters would relate to the majority of the audience as they speak without much fancy phrasemaking and do not comply with courtly euphuism which would seem too eloborated. Each are established as witty scorners of the oppostite sex and both are first to deflate the pompous atmoshere and therefore

"There, Leonato, take her back again, Give not this rotten orange to your friend, She's but the sign and semblance of her honour" The phrase "rotten orange" that Claudio uses to describe Hero conveys that on the outside Hero is innocent but there is corruption on the inside.

The previous scene, Act Three Scene Five, provides the audience with the knowledge that the truth will be made known in due time. The foremost question is whether or not the allegations will be uncovered soon enough, or whether they will remain until Don John succeeds in his evil wishes